Students stage protest in Srinagar over acid attack

Srinagar, Several students on Friday staged a protest at Residency Road here over the acid attack on a 21-year-old girl, a student at a private Law college, demanding strict implementation of laws on crimes against women.

“The enforcement agencies should deal with such cases in a stringent manner so that no one dares to carry out such attacks in future,” a student of the private law college told reporters.

The law student suffered severe burn injuries when two car-borne youth allegedly hurled acid on her outside her college at Nowshehra in the city, leading to widespread condemnation from all quarters.

Asked if there was a need to enact a separate law to deal with acid attacks, the students said there was no need for such a law as the existing laws had enough provisions to deal with these incidents.

“Unless laws are not implemented in letter and spirit, there is no use of enacting new laws, which will remained confined to papers only,” said one of the students.

The students also demanded that police should maintain a vigil around educational institutions and crowded places to prevent such attacks.

“It is a common sight anywhere in the city that many young boys loiter outside tuition centres, girls’ schools and colleges. Why can the police not make their presence felt by ensuring that these boys are chased away?” asked another student Madeeha.

The students, mostly girls, said their parents were apprehensive about sending them out of the homes following yesterday’s attack on their fellow student.

“It is the responsibility of the families to keep an eye on the activities of their children. We can see too many spoilt brats driving on the Srinagar roads,” Madeeha said.

The protesting students urged people to show compassion to the victims of such attacks and help them lead normal lives again.

PTI